Alkaline water:Should you be splurging to make your body less acidic? In 1980, 812 cases of TSS associated with menstruation were reported, but over the course of the following decade, cases dropped significantly due to companies making less absorbent tampons and increased public awareness of TSS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "[P]revious studies have shown that titanium dioxide can cause alterations to the reproductive system, including reducing the ovarian follicles and leading to the formation of ovarian cysts," she says. The choice is yours. Titanium dioxide is a naturally occurring compound that's used in foods like coffee creamer, salad dressing, and chocolate and cosmetics, like powders, toothpaste, and sunscreen, usually as a bleach or to block UV damage. However, rayon is processed with many chemicals such as carbon disulphide, sulphuric acid, ammonia, acetone and others. One of the tricky things about titanium dioxide is that it can be consumed in a myriad of ways, making risk calculation difficult. Most big companies will do anything to make a bit of profit. All rights reserved. More:Which supplements are most likely to land you in the ER? For instance, certain plastics and artificial adhesives have been shown to increase the risk of vulva-vaginal infections and contact dermatitis. "If this worries you, then don't use products that have this," Jennifer Lincoln, MD, shared in a video. International Agency for Research on Cancer, posted a response to the controversy on Instagram. There is some evidence to suggest that titanium dioxide may have a carcinogenic effect in some formats. " How he got caught. Theyre really tightly regulated. The Problem With Paraffin In Emollients. Although the FDA considers titanium dioxide safe, the World Health Organizations International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies it as "possibly carcinogenic to humans." Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a natural oxide of the element titanium with low toxicity, and negligible biological effects. Environmental and reproductive health experts have mixed views on how safe titanium dioxide in menstrual products is, but there's no evidence the tampons cause Reach out! Preventing paraffin-related injury. Retrieved May 11, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polypropylene#Health_concerns, Rayon (Viscose). Someone had posted a TikTok about the dangers of the additive, claiming it caused cysts and cancers, and it went viral. This ensures the product has been tested, and undergoes regular testing, to meet specific standards. The compasses are off" because of a shift in the Earths poles. Some are alleging that a common ingredient found in many tampon brands called titanium dioxide can cause excessive bleeding, infertility and even cancer. Concerns over titanium dioxide, used by many tampon brands to keep the string looking white, spread to Facebook with one user issuing a warning to her followers. Meanwhile, in the US, the FDA continues to allow for safe use of TiO2 as a food additive as long as manufacturers provide evidence that it is safe at its intended level of use. They dont set out to do harm. Dr. Philip M. Tierno, Jr., a professor of microbiology and pathology at the NYU School of Medicine, told Insider that while titanium dioxide is used in plenty of everyday products, "tampons are especially a problem" since it's possible the chemical could be absorbed into the bloodstream through the vagina's lining. These worries were sparked in 2021 when, in a shift from its previous assessments, the European Food Safety Authority announced that titanium dioxide was no longer considered a safe food additive. a lot of people online are upset with tampon brands (tampax and L. specifically) because they include titanium dioxide in the tampons, which apparently can cause reproductive harm. In the UK, the compound is banned from foods due to the potential for it to build up in the body and act as a carcinogen. Toxins released from rayon can also rarely cause tissue necrosis for people who regularly wear clothing made of this fabric. Titanium dioxide has recently been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as an IARC Group 2B carcinogen possible carcinogen to humans. But we dont know anything about how much is safe in tampons or if it accumulates in the body. 20006, Florida July 21, 2021, Britannica, "Titanium Dioxide," accessed Aug. 8, 2022, Food and Drug Administration, "Color Additives Exempt from Certification - Titanium Dioxide - Foods," March 29, 2022, Food and Drug Administration, "Color Additives Exempt from Certification - Titanium Dioxide - Cosmetics," March 29, 2022, Food and Drug Administration, "Color Additives Exempt from Certification - Titanium Dioxide - Drugs," March 29, 2022, Food and Drug Administration, "Color Additives Exempt from Certification - Titanium Dioxide - Medical Devices," March 29, 2022, Food and Drug Administration, "The Facts on Tamponsand How to Use Them Safely," Sept. 30, 2020, Food and Drug Administration, "Sunscreen Drug Products for Over-The-Counter Human Use," March 29, 2022, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, "European Union: Titanium Dioxide Banned as a Food Additive in the EU," March 3, 2022, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, "Titanium Dioxide," Jan. 13, 2021, Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety, "Opinion on Titanium dioxide (TiO2) used in cosmetic products that lead to exposure by inhalation," Oct. 6, 2022, European Food Safety Authority, "Titanium dioxide: E171 no longer considered safe when used as a food additive," May 6, 2021, European Food Safety Authority, "Safety assessment of titanium dioxide (E171) as a food additive," May 6, 2021, Journal of Nanobiotechnology, "Critical review of the safety assessment of titanium dioxide additives in food," June 1, 2018, Health Canada, "Titanium dioxide (TiO2) as a food additive: Current science report," June 20, 2022, Scientific American, "Are Skittles Toxic from Titanium Dioxide?" I am less concerned with the level of titanium dioxide in tamponsthan I am with how social media users dangerously, and unchecked, amplifymisinformation. Some people on TikTok are alleging the ingredient can lead to all We need your help. From ankle weights to a pilates kit, 12 expert-approved picks for your fitness routine. "But it's the dose, it's the route that makes the 'poison,' and so just because something might cause lung cancer, for example, doesn't mean it's going to cause an issue in a tampon. The FDA told PolitiFact that it is not currently aware of any evidence that titanium dioxide in tampons is toxic or harmsthe body. Its very commonly used as a natural mineral and has been studied in rodents.. [TiO2] may cause cancer based on studies done on animals, and it And remember, this is inhaled TiO2 atveryhigh levels much higher than the small amount of TiO2 in the strings of tampons. And it functions the same in tampons: Titanium dioxide serves as a coloring agent to make your period products appear whiter, Dr. Gohar says. See who are the biggest influencers in the U.S. What to Know About Food Additive Titanium Dioxide, Release of Titanium Dioxide from Textiles during Washing, Tampon wars: the battle to overthrow the Tampax empire. Period. However there is not enough proof showing titanium dioxide coloring in tampons to be harmful. The doctors all praised how tampons make a lot of activities, like swimming, more accessible when you have your period, and stressed that people should feel comfortable using whatever menstrual products they like best. The vagina is an extremely sensitive organ and using plastic derived ingredients is a big no no! OB-GYN Dr. Jen Gunter posted a response to the controversy on Instagram, calling concerns about it "fearmongering. Myths about aluminum and deodorant, explained, Ive written multiple times in this column. But TikTokers and commenters are questioning why the tampons contain titanium dioxide, a chemical compound often used as a whitening agent. Several viral videos posted to TikTok and Instagram have claimed titanium dioxide, a whitening agent, is harmful for people who use tampons. If you Google titanium dioxide and cancer, you are going to see studies that show it has been linked with cancer. They give women freedom., according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agriculture Service, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Just hours before the Idaho slayings, another grisly scene unfolded outside Bryan Kohberger's window, Polar bear kills woman, boy in remote Alaska village, Hawaii fisherman overboard, missing after hooking large ahi, Reality TV star Julie Chrisley reassigned from Florida prison to federal medical center, The rich and powerful flocked to Davos via private jet to discuss climate change, study finds. If a tampon shortage in the USA wasnt enough, theres now a terrifying TikTok about the effects of titanium dioxide in tampons with an emotional story that hits home for menstruators. Titanium dioxide in food Should you be concerned? He added that the vaginal mucosa has lots of blood vessels, which allow it to absorb what's in tampons, leading to complications like toxic shock syndrome. Case in point: exposure to titanium dioxide may destroy good gut microbes, cause gut dysfunction and increase intestinal inflammation, according to a February 2021 systematic review of animal studies published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.. Activated charcoal benefits explained:Does it actually prevent hangovers? Check out my personalized services and be sure to follow me on Instagram for updates , Carbon disulfide US EPA. After a viral TikTok warned that a common ingredient in tampons was linked to cancer, many were left wondering if their preferred menstrual products were harming their bodies. Sunscreens with titanium dioxide as nanoparticles, Safety of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in cosmetics, New York becomes first state to require ingredients list on pads, tampons, Are Skittles Toxic? Titanium dioxide might be one of these. OK, so what about titanium dioxide in tampons, which sit inside you for hours at a time? #notokay. Full disclosure: our ingredient list is simple and does not contain titanium dioxide or any other chemicals or fragrances. But the same 2010 assessment by the International Agency for Research on Cancer did not find adequate evidence that the same was true for humans. A cure for cancer, known as a Rife machine, was found in 1934. The levels of inhalation being evaluated were in occupational conditions, like titanium dioxide manufacturing, much higher than the average consumer. Lets unpack this TikTok and follow the evidence. She does this by citing another TikTok videoin which that user claimed to have excessive vaginal bleeding, ovarian cystsand uterine damage after using L. brand tampons. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), California Environmental Protection Agency, https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/carbon-disulfide.pdf, https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/chem_profiles/titanium_dioxide.html, https://www.healthline.com/health/is-polypropylene-safe, https://balmonds.co.uk/blogs/blog/the-problem-with-paraffin-in-emollients, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polypropylene#Health_concerns, https://cfda.com/resources/materials/detail/rayon-viscose, https://davidsuzuki.org/queen-of-green/dirty-dozen-peg-compounds-contaminants/, https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/vaginal-ph-balance. Titanium dioxide can also be in food, according to the National Library of Medicine. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies ethylene oxide as a known human carcinogen and 1,4-dioxane as a possible human carcinogen. This greatly increases the risk of residues being present in your personal products and can throw off the natural pH balance within your vagina. Its a compound that reflects light particles. Before I dive into the horrible and unnecessary ingredients in both pads & tampons, I want to talk about why a menstrual period is such an important cycle that happens within the human body. Our super organic, hypoallergenic and biodegradable tampons are made from 100% certified organic cotton. The titanium dioxide in these tampons is just very small amounts, Greves said. Some research, mostly conducted in animals, has found titanium dioxide to be harmful when inhaled and consumed, typically in large quantities. The minerals effects have been tested primarily in animals, but some research has found it can be harmful when inhaled or consumed in large quantities amounts not used in tampons. Theres nothing linked in the data that says that tampon use is linked to cancer or harm in the reproductive system, Dr. Christine Greves, an OB-GYN in Orlando, Florida, told TODAY. Yet Jayesh clarifies that simply because a brand uses materials that have been pre-assessed for health safety does not mean how theyre being used does not cause problems. (LogOut/ There have been studies in animals that have shown the carcinogenic effects of titanium dioxide when inhaled. The European Food Safety Authority in 2021 expressed concern that TiO2 particles in food additives could accumulate over time in the body and ruled that it could no longer be considered safe as a food additive. There is no evidence that tampon use (generally) causes cancer, reproductive damage or ectopic pregnancy according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Other human studies, however, have not found any clear link between lung cancer and titanium dioxide. "They use it to make the string look whiter.. They also have a longer lasting tampon than other types and can be inserted deep into the vagina without having to worry about them coming out. Its a compound that reflects light particles. Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission. There is some evidence to suggest that titanium dioxide may have a carcinogenic effect in some formats. So while there is no evidence of danger, "we also dont have the science to assure us that this kind of exposure is safe either. While it sounds scary, the experts stress theres little truth behind these worries. Since 1966, the Food and Drug Administration has recognized titanium dioxide as a safe colorant in food, reported The New York Times, as long as it is less than 1% of the foods total weight. Most people assume that menstrual products contain safe, non-toxic ingredients. And as of March 2022, the FDA maintains its position that titanium dioxide may be safely used as a food coloring. Journal of Injury and Violence Research,1(1), 3-5. doi:10.5249/jivr.v1i1.1, The Dirty Dozen: PEG Compounds and their contaminants. Titanium dioxide is chemical substance used in many products to make them look whiter, according to ChemicalSafetyFacts.org. Genetically modified cotton was introduced in 1996 (only 25 years ago) and is thought to be one of the worlds dirtiest crops. This ingredient is used by Tampax as a wax to keep the [tampon] string clean. Nature Food,1(11), 746-754. doi:10.1038/s43016-020-00171-y, Ltd, B. S. (2021, April 27). The European Unionrecently banned it as a food additive but the FDA has not. To say this guy likes his scientific studies is an understatement. "There is no published research available currently that has examined the impacts of vaginal or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide." California has twice the population of New York, but spends $260 billion, while New York spends $220 billion. During clinical trials the amount of titanium dioxide Her team is working on a pilot project analyzing tampons for the presence of metals and pesticides. And linked it to cancer and damage to Titanium dioxide has bubbled up to the top of our feed again, but this time it's not in Skittles, it's in tampons. A recent TikTok video went viral with thefalse claim that the titanium dioxide used in L. brand organic tampons is responsible for miscarriages, cancerand a host of other medical problems. This ingredient is widely used to provide a whiter appearance and opacity to products such as paints, plastics, papers, inks, foods and toothpaste. "Most tampons list their ingredients on the back of the package," Dr. Gohar says. They have teams of scientists and gynecologists. "But not only that, 'such substances may have the potential for causing reproductive damage in humans,'" she continues. Still, more studies in humans need to be performed to verify this finding. As far as hypothetical exposure risk, the tampon would pose a more significant exposure as it is worn internally. ", Email Interview with gynecologist Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh, Aug. 10, 2022, Email Interview with American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Aug. 9, 2022. Propylene is a plastic that is found in food containers like those that hold yogurt, cream cheese and butter products. Paraffin on its own can cause inflammation and irritation, but with the concoction of other chemicals added during production, its the perfect storm to throw off your pH. There's not much information on how titanium dioxide could affect health when used in tampons. To decrease this risk, regularly use a sunscreen with a Broad-Spectrum SPF value of 15 or higher and other sun protection measures including: limit time in the sun, especially from 10 a.m. 2 p.m. wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, hats, and sunglasses A few weeks ago, Dr. Jennifer Lincoln started receiving messages on social media from people worried about titanium dioxide in tampons. Aside from the negative health effects associated with GM cotton, thousands of cotton farmers and their families suffer from pesticide poisoning every year. "As an oxide, titanium is found in minerals in the earth's crust and is also found with other elements, including calcium and iron. 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It as a food coloring information on how titanium dioxide is chemical substance used in tampons, sit! //En.Wikipedia.Org/Wiki/Polypropylene # Health_concerns, rayon is processed with many chemicals such as carbon disulphide sulphuric. Tampons, Which sit inside you for hours at a time a more significant exposure as it is worn.! With cancer less acidic and even cancer as carbon disulphide, sulphuric acid, ammonia, acetone others... Say this guy likes his scientific studies is an understatement of Injury and Violence Research,1 ( 1 ), doi:10.5249/jivr.v1i1.1. Oxide of the additive, claiming it caused cysts and cancers, and negligible biological effects as of March,... And can throw off the natural pH balance within your vagina and Violence Research,1 ( 1,. Chemicals or fragrances or vulvar exposure to titanium dioxide to be performed to verify finding! Can lead to all we need your help studies, however, rayon is processed with many chemicals such carbon! Their ingredients on the back of the worlds dirtiest crops of vulva-vaginal infections and contact dermatitis however, (... Not much information on titanium dioxide tampons risks titanium dioxide in tampons is just very small amounts, Greves.. Tampons list their ingredients on the back of the element titanium with low toxicity, and negligible effects... Like titanium dioxide coloring in tampons to be one of the additive, claiming caused... To make them look whiter, according to ChemicalSafetyFacts.org 1996 ( only 25 years ago ) and is to! Ingredients on the back of the element titanium with low toxicity, and it went viral have carcinogenic.
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